Access point rotation for sharing power load

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for sharing power load in a network. The method includes identifying a first device to serve as an AP of the network in a next time interval, providing network information from a second device that presently serves as the AP to the first device. When the first device starts to serve as the AP of the network, the second device can be configured to enter into a power save state in order to reduce power consumption by the second device in the next time interval.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/080,143, “AP Rotation and Pseudo-APs” filed on Jul. 11, 2008, whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

In a wireless network, access points (APs) maybe used to supportcommunications among mobile devices. In certain applications, the APsmay have limited power supply, such as battery-powered APs, solarpowered APs, and the like. For these APs, power consumption can becomean issue.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure can provide a method, a network, and awireless device that can use access point (AP) rotation scheme to sharepower load. The AP rotation scheme can rotate nodes of a network toserve as an AP of the network, and thus can share power load of the APamong the nodes.

The method for sharing power load of an AP in a network can includeidentifying a first device to serve as an AP of the network in a nexttime interval, providing network information from a second device thatpresently serves as the AP to the first device. When the first devicestarts to serve as the AP of the network, the second device can beconfigured to enter into a power save state in order to reduce powerconsumption by the second device in the next time interval.

According to the disclosure, the network information can include atleast membership information, service information, and power levelinformation.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the first device can change anassociated Media Access Control (MAC) address with a MAC address of amaster-AP, and start to send messages that include the MAC address ofthe master-AP. In addition, the first device can receive and processmessages that are directed to the AP of the network in a next timeinterval.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, to identify the first deviceto serve as the AP of the network, the method can include determiningthe first device to serve as the AP of the network based on one or moreconditions.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the one or more conditions caninclude at least one of a MAC address of the first device and a powerlevel of the first device.

In addition, the first device can be determined to serve as the AP ofthe network if the first device has the highest power level.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the one or more conditions caninclude a pre-determined sequence.

In addition, the method can include configuring the second device to anormal operation state at the end of the next time interval.

In an embodiment, the next time interval is a pre-negotiated beaconinterval.

According to the disclosure, a wireless device in a network can includea wireless interface configured to transmit and receive wirelesssignals, and a controller configured to identify a next device to serveas an AP of the network in a next time interval. Further, the controllercan be configured to inform the wireless interface to transmit networkinformation to the next device when the wireless device presently servesas the AP of the network, and switch the wireless device into a powersave state after the next device starts to serve as the AP of thenetwork in the next time interval.

According to the disclosure, the wireless device can be used as a nodein a network. The network can include a first node configured to serveas an AP of the network in a first time interval by using a MAC addressof a master-AP in association of the network, and at least a second nodeconfigured to serve as the AP of the network in a second time intervalby using the MAC address of the master-AP, wherein the first nodeupdates the second node with network information when the second nodestarts to serve as the AP of the network, and the first node is furtherconfigured to enter a power save state in the second time interval.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the following figures, wherein like numeralsreference like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary network;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an access point (AP) rotationsub-network example;

FIG. 3 shows a set of diagrams illustrating power consumption in an AProtation network example;

FIG. 4 is a message sequence chart illustrating an exemplary sequence ofmessages being exchanged between network nodes;

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an exemplary format of a messagestructure;

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart outlining an exemplary process for an AProtation scheme;

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an exemplary controller in a wirelessdevice;

FIG. 8 is a specification and design language (SDL) diagram of anexemplary finite state machine (FSM) process executed by a network nodecapable of supporting an AP rotation scheme; and

FIG. 9 is a specification and design language (SDL) diagram of anexemplary process for determining a next AP.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary network 100. The network100 can include a sub-network 110, such as a wireless local area network(WLAN), and the like. The sub-network 110 may include a plurality ofnodes. Further, at least one of the plurality of nodes can be configuredto serve as an access point (AP). The AP can enable the sub-network 110to communicate to nodes outside of the sub-network 110. For example, theAP can enable communication to another sub-network 102 via communicationchannel 104. According to the disclosure, the sub-network 110 may applyan AP rotation scheme that configures different set of nodes to serve asAPs at different time intervals.

The nodes of the sub-networks 110 and 102 can include various wirelessdevices. For example, the nodes can include mobile devices, such aslaptop, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and the like. Inanother example, the nodes can include stationary devices, such asdesktop, printers, workstations, and the like, that are equipped with awireless network interface card that can enable wireless communications.

The communication channel 104 can be a wired communication channel, suchas a cable line or digital subscriber line (DSL), and the like. Thecommunication channel 104 also can be a wireless communication channelthat can be implemented according to various standards and protocols,such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11a/b/g), WiMax (IEEE 802.16), Bluetooth, GSM,GPRS, UMTS, and the like.

The sub-network 110 can include an AP. The AP can enable communicationto nodes outside of the sub-network 110. According to the disclosure,the sub-network 110 may apply an AP rotation scheme, thus at differenttimes, different nodes may serve as the AP. For example, in a first timeinterval, a first node in the sub-network 110 may serve as the AP and ina second time interval, a second node in the sub-network 110 may serveas the AP. The AP rotation scheme may determine which nodes of thesub-network 110 to serve as the AP. The determination can be based onvarious conditions, e.g., power level, MAC address of a node, apre-determined sequence, and the like. In this manner, the nodes of thesub-network 110 can rotate to function as the AP. In addition, whennodes are not configured to serve as the AP, they may be configured toengage in power save modes. Thus, the nodes of the sub-network 110 maybe alternatively configured to serve as the AP and alternativelyconfigured to engage in power save modes.

During operation, for a time period, a first node of the sub-network 110can be configured to serve as the AP of the sub-network 110. The firstnode can enable communication with nodes out of the sub-network 110, forexample, via the communications channel 104. In addition, the first nodemay manage, for example, membership update of the sub-network 110. Forexample, a node may join the sub-network 110 by registering with the APvis-à-vis the first node. After the time period, a second node of thesub-network 110 can be determined to serve as the AP, based on, forexample, power level of the second node. The first node can notify oracknowledge the second node, and update the second node with thesub-network information (e.g., a node joined the sub-network 110).Subsequently, the second node of the sub-network 110 can serve as theAP. Similarly, after another time period, another node can be determinedto serve as the AP. In addition, while the second node serves as the AP,the first node may be configured to go into a power save mode. In thepower save mode, the first node may operate at a power level that isless than the power level necessary to operate as the AP.

FIG. 2 shows a plot illustrating an exemplary scenario of a sub-network210 utilizing an AP rotation scheme. The sub-network 210 can include aplurality of nodes, such as nodes A and B that are coupled by acommunication channel 220. Further, another node C may want to join thesub-network 210. Nodes A, B, and C can be any of the devicesaforementioned. The plurality of nodes may communicate via communicationchannels. For example, nodes A and B may communicate via channel 220.The nodes may communicate user data, control data, and the like. In anexample, the nodes may communicate power levels of nodes, MAC addressesof nodes, sub-network membership of nodes and the like.

In an embodiment, among the plurality of nodes, one or more nodes mayhave the capability to serve as the AP of the sub-network 210, and atleast one of the nodes may be configured to serve as a master-AP of thesub-network 210. Further, the MAC address of the master-AP may beassociated with the sub-network 210. For example, nodes A and B can beconfigured to serve as the AP during different times, Node A can beconfigured as the master-AP of the sub-network 210, and node B can beconfigured as a pseudo-AP; and the pseudo-AP can emulate the master-APto serve as the AP of the sub-network 210 when node A is in a power savestate.

Node A can send out messages such as a beacon that can include, forexample, the MAC address of node A at a specific field to identify nodeA as the master-AP of the sub-network 210. On the other hand, othernodes can send messages that can include node A's MAC address at aspecific field to identify the messages as being directed to the AP ofthe sub-network 210. For example, in a time period, such as a negotiatedbeacon interval, the master-AP, which is node A in FIG. 2, can provideaccess point service for nodes in the sub-network 210. Node A can handleincoming messages, e.g., unitest probe request frame, IEEE actionmanagement frame, and the like. In addition, node A can enablecommunication between the sub-network 210 and, for example, anothersub-network.

In an embodiment, node A can determine a next node, such as node B, toserve as the AP. In another embodiment, node A can retrieve from amemory a sequence of nodes for serving as the AP of the sub-network 210.The sequence of nodes may indicate the next node to serve as the AP ofthe sub-network 210. Further, node A can update node B with thesub-network information collected while node A was serving as the AP.Then, node B may start to serve as the AP. Subsequently, for example, ifnode A does not have other activities, node A can be configured to gointo a power save state. For example, at least a portion of node A canbe powered off.

In an embodiment, node B may be configured as a pseudo-AP by changingthe MAC address of node B with the master-AP MAC address. Further, nodeB can send out a beacon including the master-AP MAC address (e.g., MACaddress of node A) in a specific field to represent itself as the AP ofthe sub-network 210. In addition, node B may process messages directedto the AP of the sub-network 210. Thus, other nodes can communicate tothe AP of the sub-network 210 in the same way, regardless of which nodeis serving as the AP. For example, node C, which is interested injoining the sub-network 210, may need to receive information, such asfrequency bandwidth supported, unit of times used by the sub-network210, and the like. Node C can send a request message (e.g., serviceregistration request) to the AP for joining the sub-network 210. The AP,which can be served by node A or B, may send a response message (e.g.,service registration response) to node C to allow the request, and storethe information regarding node C (e.g., registered service of node C).Further, node B presently serving as the AP can update a next node withthe information when the next node is rotated to serve as the AP of thesub-network 210. In addition, node B may send out messages to announcethe power level of node B.

More specifically, node A can serve as the AP of the sub-network 210 fora first time interval, such as a negotiated first beacon interval of,for example, 10 ms. Node A can operate at a high power consumption mode.For example, node A can send a beacon including the MAC address of nodeA designated as the master-AP address. In addition, node A can activelylisten to messages directed to the AP of the sub-network 210. When thefirst beacon interval expires, node A may acknowledge node B to be anext node to serve as the AP. In an example, node A may determine thatnode B has a sufficient power level and can become the next AP. Then,node A can update node B with the sub-network 210 information. Node Bcan start to serve as the AP in a second beacon interval, and node A canbe configured to go into a power save state, for example, if node A doesnot have other activities. When node B serves as the AP, node B mayemulate itself as the AP of the sub-network 210 by changing the MACaddress of node B with the MAC address of the master AP. Further, node Bcan send out a beacon including the MAC address of node A (master-AP MACaddress in a specific field) to identify itself as the AP of thesub-network 210.

Node C, for example, may detect the beacon, and send a serviceregistration request message to the AP of the sub-network 210, which isserved by node B in the second beacon interval, to join the sub-network210. Node B may send a service registration response message to node Cto allow the request. The service registration response message can besent as coming from the AP of the sub-network 210. In addition, node Bcan store the information regarding node C, such as registered serviceof node C. When the second beacon interval expires, node B mayacknowledge a next node, for example, node A to serve as the AP. Node Bcan update node A regarding node C's registration. Then, node A maystart to serve as the AP of the sub-network 210 with updated sub-networkinformation.

In this manner, node A and node B may alternatively serve as the AP fora time interval. It is noted that while the above example uses two nodesto serve as the AP of the sub-network 210, more than two nodes can beused. For example, the newly joined node C could serve as the AP byrotating the AP role among the three nodes A, B, and C in a certainorder, e.g., in order of their MAC addresses. An AP rotation scheme fora time duration, e.g., beacon interval, can distribute the power load ofthe nodes in a desired manner, such as substantially symmetrical.

FIG. 3 shows a set of exemplary diagrams illustrating power consumptionin the sub-network 210 with an AP rotation scheme. The set of diagrams302, 310 and 316 show power consumptions (Y-axis) versus time (X-axis)for nodes A, B, and C, respectively. The sub-network 210 may beconfigured to rotate AP according to beacon intervals. Nodes A, B, and Cmay have different power consumption in different beacon intervals, suchas a first beacon interval, a second beacon interval, and a third beaconinterval as shown in FIG. 3.

During the first beacon interval, node A can be configured as the AP ofthe sub-network 210, and thus may have a high power consumption. Forexample, node A can send out a beacon indicated by a high powerconsumption level 3 04. In general, node A may operate at a powerconsumption level 306, for example, actively listening to incomingtraffic. The beacon can include the MAC address of node A, which isconfigured as the master-AP. In addition, the beacon may include thepower level of node A. Nodes B and C can operate as non-APs. Forexample, if nodes B and C have no activities, and they can be configuredto engage in a power save state, as shown in FIG. 3, thereby reducingpower consumption.

When the first beacon interval expires, node A may acknowledge that nodeB can become a next node to serve as the AP. In an embodiment, the nodepresently serving as the AP may determine which node is the next node toserve as the AP. In another embodiment, a AP rotation sequence can bepre-determined and stored. Then, node B can wake up from the power savestate and send out a beacon, which can be indicated by a powerconsumption level 314, and operate at a power consumption level 307while serving as the AP. Node B may change its MAC address with themaster-AP MAC address. Further, the beacon can include the MAC addressof node A, (which is the master-AP) that can be used to identify thebeacon as coming from the AP of the sub-network 210. Node A may send outan update message, which can be indicated by a power consumption level332 for updating node B with network information. Then, node A canoperate in a non-AP mode. For example, node A can be configured to gointo a power save mode, as indicated by power consumption level 308 forthe second beacon interval.

During the second beacon interval, node B can serve as the AP of thesub-network 210. Node B may receive incoming messages that are directedto the AP of the sub-network 210 from other nodes, for example, nodes Aand C. In an example, node C may wake up and want to join thesub-network 210. Node C can send, for example, a service registrationrequest message indicated by a power consumption level 318 to the AP ofthe sub-network 210, which is served by node B. Node B may respond tothe service registration request, for example, by sending out a serviceregistration response message indicated by a high power consumptionlevel 320. The service registration response message can include themaster-AP MAC address to indicate that the message is coming from the APof the sub-network 210. Further, node C can send out, for example, anauthorization request message as indicated by a power consumption level322, to the AP of the sub-network 210. In response, node B may send outan authorization response message, as indicated by a power consumptionlevel 324, including the master-AP MAC address to node C.

When the second beacon interval expires, node B may acknowledge thatnode A is the next node to serve the AP. As shown in FIG. 3, forexample, node A can wake up from a power save mode, send out a beaconindicated by a high power consumption level 326, and operate at a powerconsumption level 306 to serve as the AP. Node A may change its MACaddress with the master-AP MAC address if they are different (e.g., amaster-AP MAC address provided by a sub-network different from any MACaddress of the sub-network nodes). The beacon can include the master-APMAC address to indicate that the beacon is coming from the AP of thesub-network 210. In an embodiment, the beacon may include the powerlevel of node A. Node B may send out an update message indicated by thepower consumption level 328 for updating node A with the sub-networkinformation, such as, node C joining the sub-network 210. Then, node Bcan operate as a non-AP node. For example, node B can be configured togo into a power save mode, as indicated by power consumption level 330.

During the third beacon interval, node A can be configured as the AP ofthe sub-network 210 again. Node A may listen and process incomingmessages from other nodes, for example, nodes B and C (not shown). NodeB and node C may operate in non-AP modes. For example, node B may beconfigured to engage in a power saving mode when node B does not haveother activities, and node C may have other activities and may operateat a normal power level.

As illustrated above, the power consumption levels 304, 306, 332, 308,326, 314, 307, 320, 324, 328, 330, 318, 319, and 322 could varydepending on type, activity, mode of operation of nodes, and the like;each node may consume different amounts of power while operating as theAP as well as a non-AP node. Therefore, the AP rotation scheme can befurther modified by taking different conditions into consideration fordistribution of the power load in desired manners. The differentconditions may include, but not limited by, a node with the highestpower level, a duration of time serving as the AP, an order of MACaddress of a node, combination of two or more of these conditions, andthe like.

FIG. 4 is a message sequence chart illustrating an exemplary sequence ofmessages being exchanged between nodes A, B of the sub-network 210, andnode C. At the beginning of the first beacon interval, node A can beconfigured to operate as the AP and send out a beacon 404, which caninclude the master-AP MAC address. The master-AP MAC address can be aMAC address of node A since node A is the master-AP in the example. Inanother embodiment, the master-AP MAC address can be a MAC address thatis unique from any MAC address of the sub-network nodes to prevent fromhaving more than one active nodes with the same MAC address at a time.The beacon 404 can also include the present power level of node A. NodeA can serve as the AP for the first beacon interval. At the end of thefirst beacon interval, node B can be configured to operate as the AP andsend out the beacon 414, which can include the master-AP MAC address,and identify that the beacon comes from the AP of the sub-network 210.The beacon 414 can also include the present power level of node B.

In addition, node A can send the update message 432 to the AP, which isserved by node B. Then, node A can be configured to go into a powersaving state, such as a sleep mode 408 in FIG. 4, operating at a reducedpower consumption level. During the second beacon interval, when node Bserves as the AP, node C may send out a probe request 418 to the AP.Node B can return a probe response 420, which can include the master-APMAC address to indicate that the probe response is from the AP of thesub-network 210, to node C. Further, node C may send out anauthorization request 422 to the AP. Node B then can return anauthorization response 424, which can include the master-AP MAC addressto indicate the authorization response as coming from the AP of thesub-network 210, to node C. At the end of the second beacon interval,node A can wake up, and send out the beacon 426, which can include themaster-AP MAC address and the current power level of node A. Node B cansend out the update message 428, which can include the informationgathered by node B while serving as the AP, to node A. Then, node B canbe configured to go into a power save state operating at a reduced powerconsumption level, such as a sleep mode 430 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary message format 500 that can be used, forexample, by the sub-network 210 to implement an AP rotation scheme. Themessage format 500 can include a MAC header 502. The MAC header 502 caninclude an Address-2 field 504 and an Address-3 field 506. The Address-2field 504 and the Address-3 field 506 may include the master-AP MACaddress to indicate that the message is from the AP of the sub-network210. Thus, a pseudo-AP may send beacons and responses using themaster-AP MAC address as the Address-2 and Address-3.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart outlining an exemplary process 600 for anetwork node in a network to operate according to an AP rotation scheme.The network can include a master AP, and a MAC address of the master-APcan be associated with the network. The network may be identified by themaster-AP MAC address. The process starts at step S610, and proceeds tostep S620.

In step S620, the node can be designated as the AP of the network for atime interval. The node can receive network information (e.g.,notification and/or information necessary to serve as the AP) from, forexample, a node presently serving as the AP. In an embodiment, the nodemay power up from a power save mode and receive the network information.Then, the process proceeds to step S630.

In step S630, the node can start to serve as the AP. More specifically,the node may start sending out beacons. The beacons may include themaster-AP MAC address. In addition, the node can receive messagesdirected to the AP of the network, and process the messages. Forexample, the node may change its MAC address to the MAC address of themaster-AP, and thus can respond to messages directed to the AP of thenetwork. Then, the process proceeds to step S640.

In step S640, the node can determine a next node to serve as the AP. Thedetermination may be based on various factors, e.g., a power level, aduration of time serving as the AP, an order of MAC address. In anotherembodiment a next node to serve as the AP may be predetermined andstored in a memory medium. The memory medium can be accessed to retrievean identification of the next node. Then, the process proceeds to stepS650.

In step S650, the node can transmit network information to the nextnode. The network information can include a notification to hand-off theAP, and any information gathered (e.g., a new node joined the network,power levels of nodes in the sub-network) while the node was serving asthe AP. The next node can change its MAC address with the master-AP MACaddress, and start to serve as the AP of the network. Then, the processproceeds to step S660.

In step S660, the node can be configured to go into a power save state,for example, when the node does not have other activities. Then, theprocess proceeds to step S670, and terminates.

It is noted that the process 600 may be repetitively executed by one ormore nodes in the network.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an exemplary controller 700 in awireless device which can support an AP rotation scheme. A controller700 of the wireless device may include a processor unit 710, such as ageneral processor, a random access memory (RAM) unit 720, a non-volatilememory 730, an I/O interface unit 740, and a transceiver interface unit750. These elements could be coupled together as shown in FIG. 7.

The processor unit 710 can execute system and application programs. Thenon-volatile memory 730 can hold information even when power is off.Therefore, the non-volatile memory 730 can be used to store system andapplication programs, such as firmware. The system and applicationprograms may include an algorithm that may implement an AP rotationscheme.

The RAM unit 720 is readable and writable. Generally, the RAM unit 720can have a fast access speed. It is preferred that data and codes ofsoftware programs are stored in the RAM unit 720 during operation, suchthat the processor unit 710 can access the RAM unit 720 for the codesand data instead of the non-volatile memory 730.

The I/O interface unit 740 is capable of taking input from the user andproviding output to the user. For example, the I/O interface unit 740can couple a keypad, a screen display, a touch screen, and the like. Theuser can input by pressing, for example, keys on the keypad or the touchscreen, and monitor the status of the controller 700 displayed on thescreen display, such as power level, signal strength, operation mode(e.g., AP or non-AP mode), and the like.

The transceiver interface unit 750 can be configured according tovarious standards and protocols. In an embodiment, the transceiverinterface unit 750 can receive and transmit communication signals over awireless local area network (WLAN) using protocols, such as Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11 a/b/g), WiMax (IEEE 802.16), Bluetooth, and the like. In anotherembodiment, the transceiver interface unit 750 may also receive andtransmit communication signals over a wireless wide area network (WWAN)using protocols, such as GSM, GPRS, UMTS, and the like.

During operation, the transceiver interface unit 750 may receive asignal conveying information of the network in which the wireless deviceis registered. The signal can be digitally sampled and transmitted tothe processor unit 710. The digital samples of the signal can be storedin the RAM unit 720 and can be processed by the processor unit 710. Theprocessor unit 710 may execute software programs, such as an algorithmimplementing an AP rotation scheme, which may be stored in thenon-volatile memory 730. For example, the processor unit 710 mayidentify an indication or a request from the digital samples of thesignal that the wireless device is to serve as the AP of the network.The process unit 710 may execute the algorithm to start serving as theAP in a time interval.

More specifically, the processor unit 710 may change a MAC address ofthe wireless device to a master-AP MAC address associated with thenetwork. The processor unit 710 may also generate beacons and transmitthe beacons via the transceiver interface unit 750. A beacon may includethe master-AP MAC address, for example, as Address-2 and Address-3 of802.11 MAC header In addition, the beacon may include power levelinformation of devices. The wireless device, serving as the AP, can alsoreceive messages over the transceiver interface unit 750 from otherdevices within the network as well as outside the network. For example,another device not registered with the network may send a registrationrequest to the AP of the network. The registration request can bereceived and processed by the controller unit 700. Additionally, thecontroller unit 700 may send responses to the other devices via thetransceiver interface unit 750. Further, the processor unit 710 mayindicate the changed mode of operation for the user (e.g., from non-APmode to an AP mode), for example, via screen display.

After a period of time serving as the AP, the processor unit 710 mayacknowledge a next device to serve as the AP. In an embodiment, theprocessor unit 710 may determine the next device based on predeterminedcriteria (e.g., power level, duration of time, order of MAC address,signal strength, the user preference, and the like). In anotherembodiment, the processor unit 710 may retrieve an ID of the next nodefrom a predetermined sequence stored in a memory. The processor unit 710may also transmit network information (e.g., any new device joined thenetwork, power levels of nodes) collected, while the wireless deviceserving as the AP, to the next device via the transceiver interface unit750. Subsequently, the controller unit 700 may be configured to switchthe wireless device into a power save mode.

The outlined flow chart in FIG. 6 can be implemented as a finite statemachine (FSM) process including at least a power save state and apowered up state by each node of the network that can support an AProtation scheme. One exemplary embodiment of a FSM process isillustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a specification and design language (SDL) diagram of anexemplary FSM process 800 executed by a node in a network. The node canbe configured as either a master-AP or a pseudo-AP. The process startsat step S802, and proceeds to step S804.

In step S802, the node can consider various conditions to determine ifthe node can be configured to serve as an AP of the network. The variousconditions may include, but not limited to: if the device is capable ofsupporting air interface protocols to access a wide area wirelessnetwork implementing GSM, GPRS, UMTS, and the like; if the device iscapable of supporting a local area wireless network implementing Wi-Fi(IEEE 802.11a/b/g), Wi-Max (IEEE 802.16), Bluetooth, and the like; ifthe device has sufficient power to serve as the AP; if the deviceimplements a process to support an AP rotation scheme; and the like. Ifone or more of these conditions are met, then, the process proceeds tostep S804.

In step S804, the node may be configured in a power save state, in whichthe node is operating in a non-AP mode, and thus saving its power. Inthe power save state, the node may be awakened and designated as amaster-AP, for example, during an initialization of the network. If so,the process proceeds to step S806. The node can be also notified to be anext node to serve as the AP. Then, the process proceeds to step S808.

In step S806, the node may be designated to be the master-AP of thenetwork. For example, a MAC address of the node can be associated withthe network for network identification. In other words, messagesdirected to the AP of the network may use the MAC address of the node asthe destination address. Then, the process proceeds to step S810.

In step S808, the node encounters an event that the node is beingnotified to be a next device to serve as the AP of the network. Then,the process proceeds to step S812.

In step S810, the node may negotiate a beacon interval (e.g., 10 ms)with other node(s). Then, the process proceeds to step S812.

In step S812, the node may send beacons. Each beacon may include the MACaddress of the master-AP as previously explained in FIG. 5. Further, theMAC address of the node is replaced with the MAC address of themaster-AP if the MAC address of the node is different from the MACaddress of the master-AP. Additionally, the beacon may include powerlevel of the node, conveyed in a 4 byte field of an energy informationelement (IE) included in the beacon as well as a probe response message.The energy IE can contain a 4 byte field that specifies in units ofWatt-Hours the energy available. In case the device is power plugged,then this 4 byte field can have the value of all 0xFFFFFFFF. The nodecan power up and send out the beacon. Then, the process proceeds to stepS814.

In step S814, the node can start a timer-T. The value of the timer-T canbe the negotiated beacon interval. Then, the process proceeds to stepS816.

In step S816, the node is in a powered up state, in which the node canoperate as the AP. In the powered up state, the node may encounter anincoming message or expiration of the timer-T. In one case, the nodeencounters an incoming message, then the process proceeds to step S818.In another case, the node encounters expiration of the timer-T, then theprocess proceeds to step S822.

In step S818, the node encounters an incoming message from other node.Then, the process proceeds to step S820.

In step S820, the node can process the incoming message, and may sendout corresponding response message. For example, the incoming messagemay be a probe request and corresponding response message is a proberesponse. In another example, the incoming message can also be an updateinformation message coming from a predecessor node which previouslyserved as the AP. The node presently serving as the AP can complete theprocessing of the incoming message. Then, the process returns to stepS816, in which the node can continue to stay in the powered up state.

In step S822, the node encounters the timer-T expiration event. The nodemay invoke a child process to determine a next node to serve as the AP.It is also possible to implement the FSM 800 without the timer and thetimer expiry event. The child process can be invoked by many criteriaother than the timer expiry, either alone or in combination, forexample: drop of the power level or signal strength of the node belowthreshold values, input triggered by the user of the node, anotification from another node to serve as the AP, a notification fromanother node being power plugged, and the like. Then, the processproceeds to step S824.

In step S824, the FSM process 800 invokes a child process 900 todetermine a next node to serve as the AP. The child process 900 performsits tasks, as described in FIG. 9, and returns back to its parentprocess—the FSM process 800. Then, the process proceeds to step S826.

In step S826, the node can send an update message to update the newlyselected node to serve as the AP. The update message may include anyinformation gathered by the node during its powered up state. This is toenable the new node to behave coherently with any past transactioncompleted or in process of being completed with other nodes; thus, theAP being rotated by different nodes can be made seamless to the othernodes. Then, the process proceeds to step S804, and terminates.

In step S804, the node can be configured to go into the power savestate, and operate as a non-AP. Then, the process terminates. It isnoted that the FSM process 800 can be repetitively executed by a node,for example, nodes A, B, and C capable of serving as an AP.

FIG. 9 is a specification and design language (SDL) diagram of anexemplary child process for determining a next AP. The process starts atstep S902, and proceeds to step S904.

In step S902, the process is called by a parent process, for example,the FSM process 800 executed by the node currently serving as the AP todetermine a next node to serve as the AP. The FSM process 800 can pass anumber of input variables that the process S902 can use to determine anext node to serve as the AP. Then, the process proceeds to step S904.

In step S904, the node presently serving as the AP can compare powerlevels of nodes that are registered, for example, with the sub-network210 and capable of serving as the AP (e.g., no legacy devices). Then,the process proceeds to step S906.

In step S906, the node may identify one or more nodes with the highestpower level. It is possible that the node with the highest power levelturns out to be the same node; the present node could potentially alsobe the next node to serve as the AP. Then, the process proceeds to stepS908.

In step S908, if there are more than one node having the same highestpower level, then the process proceeds to step S910. If there is onlyone device having the highest power level, then the process proceeds tostep S912.

In step S910, the node may consider the MAC addresses of those nodeshaving the same highest power level in order to select one of thosenodes by their order of MAC addresses, e.g., selecting a node with thehighest or lowest MAC address as the next node to serve as the AP. Afterthe one node with the highest power level and either the highest orlowest MAC address is selected, then the process proceeds to step S912.

In step S912, the node can notify the node being selected to serve asthe AP, for example, node B. The notification can trigger thenotified-to-be-AP event S808 of the FSM process 800 being executed bynode B. Then, the process returns back to the parent process, forexample, the FSM process 800 in step S824 being executed by node Acurrently serving as the AP. Then, the child process 900 terminates. Itis noted that the child process 900 can be repetitively executed by anode, for example, the nodes A, B, and C capable of serving as the AP.

The exemplary FSM process 800 can be further improved to handle errorand exception scenarios as well as race conditions; such details are notnecessarily shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9. For example, in step S912 of FIG.9, additional step can be added to handle incoming acknowledgment orerror message after sending notification to a next node to serve as theAP; in case of an error message, it may go back to step S904 to findanother node to be the AP. It could be that no other nodes capable ofserving as the AP are left in the network other than the node presentlyserving as the AP. If so, the child process 900 may return to the FSMprocess 800 with a return code indicating that no node is available toserve as the AP of the sub-network 210. The node presently serving asthe AP may then decide to skip step S826, proceeds to step S816, andcontinue to stay in the powered up state in order to serve as the AP.

Further, the node presently serving as the AP may even decide totemporarily disable AP rotation scheme until it detects newly joiningnodes capable of serving as the AP; the FSM process 800 can implementAP-Rotation-Pending state in which the node presently serving as the APcontinues to serve until it detects any new node capable of serving asthe AP without proceeding to unnecessary steps, such as S814, S822,S824, and S826 while there is no other node to serve as the AP.

For another example, in step S820, the FSM process 800 could encounterthe timer-T expiration event S822 while processing an incoming message;it may decide to stop processing and transfer the information necessaryto a next node to serve as the AP for the next node to pick up where thenode presently serving as the AP left off; or it may decide to completethe current processing of the incoming message but only stop processingany new incoming message. These enhancements can farther insure thatrotation of nodes to serve as the AP is done seamlessly, transparently,efficiently, and without any noticeable interruption.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the specificexemplary embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the invention as set forthherein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. There are changesthat may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A method for sharing power load in a network, comprising: identifyinga first device to serve as an access point (AP) of the network in a nexttime interval; providing network information from a second device thatpresently serves as the AP of the network to the first device, whereinthe first device starts to serve as the AP of the network in the nexttime interval; and configuring the second device to enter into a powersave state in order to reduce power consumption by the second device inthe next time interval.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the networkinformation includes at least membership information, serviceinformation, and power level information.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the first device changes an associated Media Access Control(MAC) address with a MAC address of a master-AP, and starts to sendmessages that include the MAC address of the master-AP.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein identifying the first device to serve as the AP of thenetwork further comprises: determining the first device to serve as theAP of the network based on one or more conditions.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, the one or more conditions include at least one of a MACaddress of the first device and a power level of the first device. 6.The method of claim 4, the one or more conditions include apre-determined sequence.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:configuring the second device to a normal operation state at the end ofthe next time interval.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the next timeinterval is a pre-negotiated beacon interval.
 9. The method of claim 5,wherein the first device is determined to serve as the AP of the networkif the first device has the highest power level.
 10. A wireless devicein a network, comprising: a wireless interface configured to transmitand receive wireless signals; and a controller configured to identify anext device to serve as an access point (AP) of the network in a nexttime interval, inform the wireless interface to transmit networkinformation to the next device when the wireless device presently servesas the AP of the network, and switch the wireless device into a powersave state after the next device starts to serve as the AP of thenetwork in the next time interval.
 11. The wireless device of claim 10,wherein the network information to the next device includes at least oneof membership information, service information, and power levelinformation.
 12. The wireless device of claim 10, wherein the controlleris further configured to change an associated Media Access Control (MAC)address with a MAC address of a master-AP, and inform the wirelessinterface to send messages that include the MAC address of themaster-AP, when the wireless device presently serves as the AP of thenetwork.
 13. The wireless device of claim 10, wherein the controller isfurther configured to determine the next device to serve as the AP ofthe network based on a power level of the next device.
 14. The wirelessdevice of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured todetermine the next device to serve as the AP of the network based on aMAC address of the next device.
 15. The wireless device of claim 10,further comprising: a memory unit configured to store a pre-determinedsequence of devices in the network, wherein the controller is configuredto determine the next device to serve as the AP of the network based onthe pre-determined sequence.
 16. The wireless device of claim 10,wherein the controller is configured to switch the wireless device to anormal operation state at the end of the next time interval.
 17. Thewireless device of claim 16, wherein the time interval is apre-negotiated beacon interval.
 18. The wireless device of claim 13,wherein the controller is further configured to select the next devicehaving the highest power.
 19. A network, comprising: a first nodeconfigured to serve as an access point (AP) of the network in a firsttime interval by using a Media Access Control (MAC) address of amaster-AP in association with the network; and at least a second nodeconfigured to serve as the AP of the network in a second time intervalby using the MAC address of the master-AP, wherein the first nodeupdates the second node with network information when the second nodestarts to serve as the AP of the network, and the first node is furtherconfigured to enter a power save state in the second time interval. 20.The network of claim 19, wherein the first node is further configured todetermine the second node to serve as the IP of the network in thesecond time interval based on at least one of a power level of thesecond node and a MAC of the second node.